Distribution.—Seas of temperate and tropical regions, a few only entering fresh water.
Of the more extensive genera, nine, comprising more than half the species, are confined to the Indian and Australian seas, while only one large genus (Hæmulon) is found in the Atlantic on the coast of Tropical America. The extensive Pacific genus, Diagramma, has one species in the Mediterranean. One genus is confined to the Macquarie River in Australia. A species of Dentex has occurred on the English coast, and this seems to be the extreme northern range of the family, which does not regularly extend beyond the coast of Portugal, and in the East to Japan. Australia seems to form the southern limit.
Family 6.—MULLIDÆ. (5 Genera, 34 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with elongate slightly compressed bodies covered with large scales, and two dorsal fins at a distance from each other."
Distribution.—All tropical seas, except the West Coast of America, extending into temperate regions as far as the Baltic, Japan, and New Zealand.
Two species of Mullus (Mullets) are British, and these are the only European fish belonging to the family.
Family 7.—SPARIDÆ. (22 Genera, 117 Species.)
"Herbivorous or carnivorous marine fishes, with oblong compressed bodies covered with minutely serrated scales, and with one dorsal fin."
Distribution.—Seas of temperate and tropical regions, a few entering rivers.
Cantharus, Pagellus, and Chrysophrys, have occurred on the English Coast. Haplodactylus is confined to the West Coast of South America, and Australia; Sargus to the temperate and warm parts of the Atlantic and the shores of East Africa; Pagellus to the western coasts of Europe and Africa.